Fake News and Failed Friendships : An Analysis of Trump , Pecker , and the National Enquirer
McDougal revealed telling details about her affair on the Anderson Cooper show aired 3 days after she filed her suit . She expressed affection for Donald Trump who , she said , was always a gentleman and paid her compliments . She recalled Pecker invited her to lunch after she signed the NDA and thanked her for her loyalty . She realized too late that he did not want to help her and had lied to her . She said Davidson promised her millions of dollars . She signed the NDA , not for the money , but a chance to transition from modeling to writing . She expressed regret for the relationship and apologized to Melania .
On April 9 , FBI agents served a warrant on Michael Cohen . They sized computers , tapes and files from his office , home , and storage sites . Matt Appuzo , writing for The New York Times quoted President Trump as declaring these actions , “ Disgraceful ” ( 1 ). On April 17 , 2018 , Karen McDougal announced “ I am relieved to be able to tell the truth about my story when asked , and I look forward to being able to return to my private life and focus on what matters to me ” ( Dedaj 1 ). She anticipated working again with the National Enquirer . The tabloid announced , “ Ms . McDougal has always been free to talk about her relationship with President Trump ” ( Weis , 2018 ). AMI agreed to everything they promised in the original nondisclosure agreement . They offered to publish five additional McDougal health and fitness columns . They maintained a financial interest up to $ 75,000 in any re-sale of an exclusive on McDougal ’ s personal story .
In her show on April 18 , Rachel Maddow tried to make sense of it all . She could not understand why McDougal settled when her lawyer was on the verge of obtaining documents and depositions that further implicated the president . The television host ’ s guest , former US Attorney Chuck Rosenberg , warned , “ It was not for us to decide . We do not know
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